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Our MIssion

The Aspen Global Change Institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to furthering scientific understanding of Earth systems and global environmental change. Our work includes interdisciplinary research, education and outreach, and collaboration with resource managers and policy-makers. Together we strive to facilitate scientific discussion for the betterment of society and natural systems, while promoting practical solutions to the challenges of today's changing Earth systems.

iRON a project of AGCI

The Interactive Roaring Fork Observation Network (iRON) is an AGCI project to collect and share data on climate and environmental conditions in the Roaring Fork Valley. The website features live and archived data from AGCI’s network of soil moisture sensors. The site also includes links to further information about the field stations, links for other environmental data from the Roaring Fork Valley, and a blog on weather and soil observations in the valley.

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Soil Temp at 8in

Soil temperature in the iRON is measured by a 12-bit temperature sensor placed near the soil moisture sensors, 8in (20cm) deep in the ground.

Soil temperature provides useful information in several ways. First, it reveals the date on which the ground becomes frozen, making soil moisture measurements from the sensors no longer reliable for the winter. Conversely, in the spring, soil temperature reveals the date of soil thaw. Soil temperature is also informative throughout the summer: warmer soils may be more susceptible to drying. All of the iRON’s soil moisture sensors are located at a depth of 8 inches (20cm): deep enough to avoid day to day fluctuations but shallow enough to reveal seasonal changes.

The graph below reveals the difference in thaw dates at sites of two different elevations. In 2015, the Smuggler Mountain site at 8,970 feet (2,730m) in elevation experienced a soil thaw in early May. Brush Creek, with an earlier melting snow pack and at only 7,780 ft (2,370m) in elevation experienced soil thaw much earlier in mid-March.

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Aspen Global Change Institute

Mission

The Aspen Global Change Institute is an independent nonprofit dedicated to furthering scientific understanding of Earth systems and global environmental change in service of society. Our work includes interdisciplinary research, education and outreach, and collaboration with resource managers and policy-makers. Together we strive to facilitate scientific discussion for the betterment of society and natural systems, while promoting practical solutions to the challenges of today's changing Earth systems.